Facebook drops Bing from its search engine

Facebook will no longer display search results from Microsoft’s Bing after the social network last week launched its own tool for finding information.

Those utilising Facebook's search bar had previously seen links to standalone websites that were provided by Bing. The company has decided, however, to overhaul the system as it attempts new ways of allowing its 1.35 billion members to find friends or locate other relevant information on the site.

"We’re not currently showing web search results in Facebook Search because we’re focused on helping people find what’s been shared with them on Facebook," a company spokesperson told Reuters. "We continue to have a great partnership with Microsoft in lots of different areas."

The news is surely a blow in what could prove a critical time for Bing. Last month it was revealed that Google’s deal to be the default search provider on Apple devices is set to expire next year with both Bing and Yahoo! keen to take over. Both are currently included in Safari as alternate search options.

Facebook and Microsoft's partnership stretches back to October 2007, when the software giant invested US$240 in the site for a 1.6pc stake in the company. Microsoft provided banner ads on Facebook's in international markets until 2010 when the use of such ads was dropped.